I finally stopped using push-in connectors on 12 gauge wire

I keep seeing people at supply houses grab those push-in connectors for #12 wire in residential panels. Had a call last Tuesday in a house where three of them had already melted because the spring tension just isn't enough for the amp draw. I carried my thermal camera and showed the homeowner 40 degree temp rise right at the connector. Why do guys keep trusting those things when a simple wire nut takes 10 more seconds?

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the_jessica2mo ago

Flabbergasted you found that many melted ones in one house... that's terrifying. I pulled a panel once where the neutral bar had a push-in that was literally glowing orange when I touched the screwdriver to it, scared me half to death. The homeowner said it'd been making a buzzing noise for weeks and they just thought it was normal. Can't wrap my head around why anyone would risk that when wire nuts are right there and take no time at all.

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emery_flores2mo ago

Dude, glowing orange? That's insane. How do you even sleep at night knowing you left that job without rewiring the whole panel?

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